Patents by Inventor Kenneth R. Smith
Kenneth R. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9861739Abstract: An apparatus for accessing the lumen of a vessel. The apparatus includes a handheld device and a cartridge. The handheld device includes an imaging device attachment utilized to secure an image capturing instrument, an arm coupled to the imaging device attachment. The cartridge includes a sheath, needle or guidewire coupled to the cartridge. The sheath or needle extends to the insertion depth when fully advanced, thereby allowing the sheath, needle, or guidewire to access the lumen of a vessel.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: HOUSTON MEDICAL ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Jeffery J. Sheldon, Kenneth R. Smith, Bruce W. Dannecker, Joseph M. Lacey, Katherine E. Goodwin
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Publication number: 20170307431Abstract: A self-filling graduated cylinder system for efficiently filling a graduated cylinder with a chemical solution. The self-filling graduated cylinder system generally includes a graduated cylinder having an interior, an upper end, an upper opening in the upper end a lower end opposite of the upper end, and a check valve attached to the graduated cylinder near the lower end of the graduated cylinder. The check valve is adapted to allow a liquid chemical to flow upwardly through the check valve into the graduated cylinder and to prevent the liquid chemical within the interior of the graduated cylinder from flowing downwardly through the check valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2016Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: David R. Krause, Kenneth R. Smith
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Patent number: 9726626Abstract: A quantum mechanical measurement device is provided. A spin ensemble is provided. A first light source provides a first light at a first wavelength, wherein the first light source is positioned to provide light into the spin ensemble. A detector is positioned to detect light from the spin ensemble. A modulator modulates absorption of the first light from the first light source by the spin ensemble at a frequency greater than a Larmor frequency of the spin ensemble.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Geometrics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, Krzysztof Kiersnowski
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Patent number: 9726733Abstract: An optical magnetometer is disclosed. The device includes a cell filled with a substance that has a magnetic moment, such as an alkali metal. First and second light sources, typically diode lasers, illuminate the cell, one optically pumping the cell and one probing the cell. The two diode lasers are set to emit light at two distinct wavelengths, one set to drive a first transition and the other set to drive a second transition within the substance filling the cell. The probe laser light transiting the cell is used to modulate the frequency of the probe laser. The two beams of light are polarized with an ellipticity of at least 0.3.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Geometrics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, Krzysztof Kiersnowski
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Publication number: 20170216785Abstract: A chemical metering system for providing efficient access and replacement of chemical metering devices. The chemical metering system generally includes a chemical injector, a first tube fluidly connected to the chemical injector, a second tube adapted to be fluidly connected to a chemical supply, a releasable tube coupling removably and fluidly connected to the first tube and the second tube, and a metering device is adapted for controlling a flowrate of liquid chemical into the chemical injector from the chemical supply. The metering device is accessible for repair or replacement by removing the releasable tube coupling from either the first tube or the second tube for efficient access and replacement of the metering device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: David R. Krause, Kenneth R. Smith, Vladimir Chernin
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Patent number: 9623385Abstract: A chemical metering system for providing efficient access and replacement of chemical metering devices. The chemical metering system generally includes a chemical injector, a first tube fluidly connected to the chemical injector, a second tube adapted to be fluidly connected to a chemical supply, a releasable tube coupling removably and fluidly connected to the first tube and the second tube, and a metering device is adapted for controlling a flowrate of liquid chemical into the chemical injector from the chemical supply. The metering device is accessible for repair or replacement by removing the releasable tube coupling from either the first tube or the second tube for efficient access and replacement of the metering device.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Cleaning Systems, Inc.Inventors: David R. Krause, Kenneth R. Smith, Vladimir Chernin
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Patent number: 9599363Abstract: An air curtain (18) for an air handler (12) is disclosed for moving to block air from passing through selected cooling coils (14). The cooling coils (14) are separated into separate sections (1-4) along a lineal direction (22), with the separate sections (1-4) connected to respective compressors (52), condensers (54), and expansion valves (56). The air curtain (18) is located on one side of the cooling coils (14) and furled into a housing (16) to provide full flow airflow through all the separate cooling coil sections (1-4). The air curtain (18) unfurls along the lineal direction (22) to block airflow (46) through selected sections (1-4) of the cooling coils (14). Position sensors (24-30) are mounted in registration with edge regions (32) of the cooling coil sections (1-4) and detect when a terminal end (20) of the air curtain (18) is proximate to respective ones of the positions sensors (24-30).Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: NexRev Inc.Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, David E Dellinger
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Publication number: 20160334465Abstract: The contacts of a probing apparatus are elastically supported on a replaceable coupon and electrically interconnected with conductors on a membrane or a space transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventor: Kenneth R. Smith
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Patent number: 9476748Abstract: A self-filling graduated cylinder system for efficiently filling a graduated cylinder with a chemical solution. The self-filling graduated cylinder system generally includes a graduated cylinder having an interior, an upper end, an upper opening in the upper end a lower end opposite of the upper end, and a check valve attached to the graduated cylinder near the lower end of the graduated cylinder. The check valve is adapted to allow a liquid chemical to flow upwardly through the check valve into the graduated cylinder and to prevent the liquid chemical within the interior of the graduated cylinder from flowing downwardly through the check valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Cleaning Systems, Inc.Inventors: David R. Krause, Kenneth R. Smith
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Patent number: 9470753Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a device under test (DUT) that includes a low power output driver. The methods include providing an input signal to the DUT. The low power output driver is configured to generate a data signal responsive to receipt of the input signal by the DUT and provide the data signal to a signal analyzer via a data signal transmission line. The methods further include determining an expected data signal to be received from the low power output driver and charging at least a portion of the data signal transmission line with a co-drive output signal that is based, at least in part, on the expected data signal. The methods further include receiving a composite data signal with the signal analyzer. The systems include probe heads with a plurality of data signal transmission lines and a plurality of co-drive conductors.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Daniel M. Bock, Kenneth R. Smith
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Patent number: 9427207Abstract: An apparatus is utilized for accessing the lumen of a vessel. The apparatus includes a main body and a disposable cartridge. The main body includes a imaging device attachment, wherein the imaging device attachment is utilized to secure an image capturing instrument to the main body; a cartridge carrier coupled to the imaging device attachment, wherein the cartridge carrier is adjustable to achieve a target insertion depth; and a first motor coupled to the cartridge carrier, wherein the first motor adjust the cartridge carrier to achieve the target insertion depth. The disposable cartridge is attached to the cartridge carrier and houses a sheath, needle, or guidewire to be inserted into the vessel to the target insertion depth.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: HOUSTON MEDICAL ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Jeffery J. Sheldon, Kenneth R. Smith, Bruce W. Dannecker, Joseph M. Lacey, Katherine E. Goodwin
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Patent number: 9429638Abstract: The contacts of a probing apparatus are elastically supported on a replaceable coupon and electrically interconnected with conductors on a membrane or a space transformer.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth R. Smith
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Patent number: 9420992Abstract: A method for accessing the lumen of a vessel may utilize a reusable handheld device. The reusable handheld device includes an imaging device attachment utilized to secure an image capturing instrument, an arm coupled to the imaging device attachment, and a depth scale coupled to the arm, wherein the depth scale provides a scale indicating an insertion depth. A disposable cartridge attaches to the reusable handheld device. The disposable cartridge includes a sheath, needle or guidewire coupled to the disposable cartridge. The sheath or needle extends to the insertion depth when fully advanced, thereby allowing the sheath, needle, or guidewire to access the lumen of a vessel.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: HOUSTON MEDICAL ROBOTICS, INC.Inventors: Jeffery J. Sheldon, Kenneth R. Smith, Bruce W. Dannecker, Joseph M. Lacey, Katherine E. Goodwin
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Patent number: 9372214Abstract: High frequency interconnect structures, electronic assemblies that utilize high frequency interconnect structures, and methods of operating the same. The high frequency interconnect structures include a plurality of dielectric waveguides and are configured to communicatively connect a plurality of transmitters with a plurality of receivers and to convey a plurality of signals therebetween. The plurality of signals may include a plurality of electromagnetic waves and may have a frequency of at least 200 GHz. The high frequency interconnect structures further may be configured to decrease a potential for crosstalk between a first signal that is conveyed by a first dielectric waveguide of the plurality of dielectric waveguides and a second signal that is conveyed by a second dielectric waveguide of the plurality of dielectric waveguides, such as through control of a passband of the first dielectric waveguide relative to the second dielectric waveguide and/or the use of a crosstalk mitigation structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Eric W. Strid, Richard L. Campbell, Kenneth R. Smith, K. Reed Gleason, Kooho Jung
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Publication number: 20160054157Abstract: A chemical metering system for providing efficient access and replacement of chemical metering devices. The chemical metering system generally includes a chemical injector, a first tube fluidly connected to the chemical injector, a second tube adapted to be fluidly connected to a chemical supply, a releasable tube coupling removably and fluidly connected to the first tube and the second tube, and a metering device is adapted for controlling a flowrate of liquid chemical into the chemical injector from the chemical supply. The metering device is accessible for repair or replacement by removing the releasable tube coupling from either the first tube or the second tube for efficient access and replacement of the metering device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: David R. Krause, Kenneth R. Smith, Vladimir Chernin
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Publication number: 20150301082Abstract: Resilient electrical interposers that may be utilized to form a plurality of electrical connections between a first device and a second device, as well as systems that may utilize the resilient electrical interposers and methods of use and/or fabrication thereof. The resilient electrical interposers may include a resilient dielectric body with a plurality of electrical conduits contained therein. The plurality of electrical conduits may be configured to provide a plurality of electrical connections between a first surface of the electrical interposer and/or the resilient dielectric body and a second, opposed, surface of the electrical interposer and/or the resilient dielectric body. The systems and methods disclosed herein may provide for improved vertical compliance, improved contact force control, and/or improved dimensional stability of the resilient electrical interposers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, Mike Jolley, Eric Strid, Peter Hanaway, K. Reed Gleason, Koby L. Duckworth
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Publication number: 20150231021Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing a negative-pressure therapy system are described. The system includes a first dressing, a second dressing, and a negative-pressure source. The negative-pressure source includes a first pump and a second pump. A first valve is fluidly coupled to the first dressing and the first pump to selectively permit fluid communication to the first dressing. A second valve is fluidly coupled to the second dressing and the second pump to selectively permit fluid communication to the second dressing. A cross-over valve is fluidly coupled to the first pump, the first valve, the second pump, and the second valve. The cross-over valve permits fluid communication between the first pump and the second valve and/or the second pump and the first valve. A controller is communicatively coupled to the first pump, the second pump, the first valve, the second valve, and the cross-over valve for operating the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, Daniel W. DeKruif, Dave E. Ball, James A. Luckemeyer
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Publication number: 20150216556Abstract: An apparatus for accessing the lumen of a vessel includes a handle providing a controller for operating the apparatus, an image capturing instrument secured to the handle, a display secured to the handle, wherein images captured by the image capturing instrument are displayed on the display, and a robotic platform coupled to the handle. The robotic platform includes a body, a first motor coupled to the body, wherein the first motor adjust the robotic platform to achieve a target insertion depth, and a cartridge carrier pivotally coupled to the body, wherein the robotic platform is adjustable to achieve the target insertion depth. The apparatus also includes a disposable cartridge attached to the cartridge carrier. The disposable cartridge includes a needle slideably coupled to the disposable cartridge, wherein the needle slides to extend to the target insertion depth, and a sheath slidably coupled to the disposable cartridge, wherein the sheath slides to extend to the target insertion depth.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: Houston Medical Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery J. Sheldon, Kenneth R. Smith, Bruce W. Dannecker, Joseph M. Lacey, Katherine E. Goodwin
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Patent number: 9099449Abstract: Resilient electrical interposers that may be utilized to form a plurality of electrical connections between a first device and a second device, as well as systems that may utilize the resilient electrical interposers and methods of use and/or fabrication thereof. The resilient electrical interposers may include a resilient dielectric body with a plurality of electrical conduits contained therein. The plurality of electrical conduits may be configured to provide a plurality of electrical connections between a first surface of the electrical interposer and/or the resilient dielectric body and a second, opposed, surface of the electrical interposer and/or the resilient dielectric body. The systems and methods disclosed herein may provide for improved vertical compliance, improved contact force control, and/or improved dimensional stability of the resilient electrical interposers.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2015Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, Mike Jolley, Eric Strid, Peter Hanaway, K. Reed Gleason, Koby L. Duckworth
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Patent number: 9033880Abstract: An apparatus for accessing the lumen of a vessel includes a handle providing a controller for operating the apparatus, an image capturing instrument secured to the handle, a display secured to the handle, wherein images captured by the image capturing instrument are displayed on the display, and a robotic platform coupled to the handle. The robotic platform includes a body, a first motor coupled to the body, wherein the first motor adjust the robotic platform to achieve a target insertion depth, and a cartridge carrier pivotally coupled to the body, wherein the robotic platform is adjustable to achieve the target insertion depth. The apparatus also includes a disposable cartridge attached to the cartridge carrier. The disposable cartridge includes a needle slideably coupled to the disposable cartridge, wherein the needle slides to extend to the target insertion depth, and a sheath slideably coupled to the disposable cartridge, wherein the sheath slides to extend to the target insertion depth.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Houston Medical Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery J. Sheldon, Kenneth R. Smith, Bruce W. Dannecker, Joseph M. Lacey, Katherine E. Goodwin